Bears and Kyle Long reportedly reach deal on $40 million extension

Kyle Long was a project when the Bears drafted him in the first round in 2013. He had impeccable bloodlines and rare athleticism for a man 6-foot-6 and 313 pounds. But he admittedly was more mauler than right guard.

Three seasons and three Pro Bowl nominations later, Long is established as the Bears' most popular player and the heart of their long-term building effort. So it was no surprise Saturday news of a contract extension surfaced.

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NFL Media reported it's a four-year extension worth $40 million, including $30 million guaranteed. The Bears would neither confirm the agreement, nor comment on the report. Long declined comment when reached Saturday and his agent did not return a message.

The reported $30 million guarantee would be the most for a guard in league history. The annual salary would make him the league's second-highest-paid guard behind versatile Raiders lineman Kelechi Osemele. Long also started all 16 games last season at right tackle.

Long, who turns 28 in December, was under contract through 2017 because the Bears in April exercised their fifth-year option on his rookie deal. Beyond that, an extension was a matter of when, not if. His original four-year deal was for roughly $8.4 million through 2016 and he's due about $8.8 million next season. It's unclear when the new deal goes into effect.

The Bears probably got a friendlier price than they would have if Long had waited until closer to free agency in 2018. They entered the weekend with almost $20 million in salary cap space this season, according to NFL players' association records, and they have relatively few big-money contracts on their books long term.

From the player's side, Long gets the guaranteed money now instead of risking injury over the next two years.

He has not practiced since Aug. 18 when he suffered a labrum injury in one of his shoulders.

He's expected to play Week 1 against the Texans, but that type of injury could challenge his strength, range of motion and pain tolerance all season. And, of course, performance would affect his negotiating position.

Paying Long now also gives the Bears some clarity as they face a decision whether to pay receiver Alshon Jeffery. After playing on the franchise tag this season, Jeffery will seek a new deal in 2017 that could top out around $14 million annually.